Mine does not. Well, it shouldn't. I don't have a fuel flexible vehicle. However, i have been putting in 40% E85 into my car with 60% gasoline when I fill up for a while now. It works fine. I admit that I don't care a lot about the long-term value my car. It is an 1998 beat-up red neon. It gets me where I need to be and I feel better putting E85 in it.
In Minnesota, there are a lot of stations selling E85. hey, we grow a lot of corn. It makes sense. My husband put some in his P.T. Cruiser today at a price of $1.71. He was so pleased. And since he has a strong desire to live in accordance to his liberal values, he was very happy with himself. He was babbling about how the power seemed the same. The engine seemed to make less noise. He shouldn't be using E85 in his car either so he is talking about putting a conversion kit in his car. He handles his own car maintenance so he most likely will do this sometime soon.
Some people are unaware they are driving a fuel flexible vehicle.
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Senate passed a groundbreaking amendment introduced by U.S. Senators Mark Dayton (D-MN) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), which would require all automakers to display decals inside the gas tank covers and windshields of vehicles that have the capacity to run on the 85 percent ethanol-based fuel known as E85, beginning in model year 2007. With gas prices reaching record highs, the legislation would make it easier for car owners, who are often not aware that their vehicles are E85 compatible, to fill-up with the cheaper renewable fuel. Motorists now must cross-reference their owner's manual with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to find out if their car or truck can use E-85.
"Increased use of ethanol as a substitute for gasoline is an economic and environmental grand slam for America," said Dayton. "Obviously, anyone would jump at the chance to save 45 cents per gallon at every fill-up. Unfortunately, most of the people who already own one of the five million flex-fuel vehicles on the road are not aware that their vehicles are capable of running on E85. My legislation will solve this problem and remind consumers that they have the option to buy cheaper fuel."
Currently, Minnesota is the only state that requires every gallon of regular gasoline to contain at least 10 percent ethanol. This amount will go up to 20 percent by 2013, due to legislation signed into law on May 3, 2005, in Minnesota.
The Dayton-Lugar Ethanol Vehicle Awareness amendment is supported by the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, the National Farmers' Union, the Governors' Ethanol Coalition, the National Corn Growers' Association, and the Renewable Fuels Association. Cosponsors of the amendment included Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (D-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).
Dayton also became a cosponsor of an amendment introduced by Barack Obama, which passed in the Senate today, (D-IL) to provide a tax credit to encourage gasoline stations to install/convert pumps to offer E-85 ethanol.
http://www.e85fuel.com/news/dayton_lugar_51205_release.htm
Okay, this isn't exactly huge, amazing legislation. Sure, Dayton is trying to help the Minnesota farmers. But it is something!! It is certainly a step in the right direction. People can go up to the pump right now and fuel their car with 85% ethanol! This is a big deal. I cannot understand why it is not being sold in every state.
Do you have a fuel fleixble vehicle?
Vehicles Than Can Use E85:
-- Selected 2005 5.3L Chevrolet Avalanche SUVs
-- Selected 2002-2005 5.3L Suburbans, Tahoes
-- Selected 2002-2005 5.3L Silverado trucks
-- All 2000-2002 2.2L Chevy S-10 trucks (after 12/99)
-- All 2000-2002 2.2L Sonoma trucks (after 12/99)
Chrysler
-- Selected 2004-2005 4.7L Dodge Ram 1500 trucks
-- Selected 2003-2005 2.7L Chrysler Sebring sedans
-- Selected 2003-2005 2.7L Dodge Stratus sedans
-- Selected 2003-2005 3.3L Caravan Cargo vans
-- All 1998-2003 3.3L Caravan minivans
-- All 1998-2003 3.3L Voyager minivans
-- All 1998-2003 3.3L Town & Country minivans
Note: 2005 Chrysler flexible fuel vehicles are available through fleet sales only.
Ford
-- Selected 2002-2005 4.0L Explorer SUVs
-- Selected 2004-2005 4.0L Explorer Sport Tracs
-- Selected 1999-2003 3.0L Ranger trucks
-- Selected 2000-2005 3.0L Taurus sedans and wagons
-- Selected 1995-1999 3.0L Taurus sedans
GMC
-- Selected 2002-2005 5.3L Yukons, Yukon XLs
-- Selected 2002-2005 5.3L Sierra trucks
Isuzu
-- All 2000-2002 Isuzu 2.2L Hombre trucks (after 12/99)
Mazda
-- Selected 1999-2002 Mazda 3.0L B3000 trucks
Mercedes-Benz
-- All 2wd 2003-05 3.2L Mercedes C320 Series sport sedans and coupes
-- All 2wd 2005 2.6L Mercedes C240 Series luxury sedans and wagons
Mercury
-- Selected 2002-2005 4.0L Mountaineer SUVs
-- Selected 2001-2005 3.0L Sables
Nissan
-- Selected 2005 5.6L Titan trucks
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=8108
These are common vehicles! People need to be choosing an alternative that is right there for the taking. It is good for the environment. Good for the American farmers. Good for reducing our dependency on foregin oil.
Is it going to completely replace gasoline at the pump? Most likely not. Would I rather be driving a hydbrid with better gas mileage? YES! But it is an alternative for those people out there that are already driving a fuel flexible vehicle.
Here is a link to see if you have an stations selling E85 near you.
http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php